He began his work in blue technology in 2017 while consulting Exocetus Autonomous Systems on their Semi-Final XPRIZE entry mapping the ocean. Later, during Covid, he launched TAO Consultants to handle more clients and areas of focus including: OptimiLab (Cyber/Multi Layered Security), Spectronn (Mesh Communication Networks, AI/ML/Edge, Data/Video Analysis, Natural Language) and Nonvoice (5G/AR/VR App Distribution). In addition, he’s a mentor/advisor with Newchip (Austin) StartBlue Accelerator (Scripps-San Diego), MassChallenge/401 Tech Bridge (New England Innovation Hub), Seaworthy Collective (Miami), Cape Fear Ocean Labs (Wilmington, NC Blue Makerspace), Tech Transfer NYC (DOD) and BlueInvest (EU’s Ocean Fund). Furthermore, he is an Ambassador with the NSIN (National Security Innovation Network), a Steward with the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, a U.S. Delegate to the UN’s Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and a Member of the UNDOS Artic Ocean Action Planning Group.
On May 8, 2018, he testified before the U.S. Congressional House Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the use of Blue Technology to Improve Efficiency, Performance, Duration and Cost for the Coast Guard. House Resolution (HR 6206): Coast Guard Blue Technology Center of Expertise Act was passed by the 115th Congress in June and signed into law by President Trump on October 11th as part of The Save Our Seas Act of 2018.
He is a highly sought-after speaker on Emerging Tech, Circular Economies, and Data & Analytics. Chris has presented at AlgaEurope 2021, the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, the UN’s Ocean Data Challenge, the Coast Guard’s Blue Tech Expo at the Department of Homeland Security, The Maritime Alliance Blue Tech Week, the Army Capability Accelerator’s Challenge Summit, the World Ocean Council (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and G-STIC’S (Global Scientific, Technology Innovation Conference) in Belgium.
Prior to this, Chris spent 20 years in various executive management roles in the media, entertainment & music industry helping take two companies public (AIM & NASDAQ) and selling another to ROVI. He has extensive experience licensing IP and content (Universal, Sony, Warner Bros, CBS, Disney/ESPN) cross multiple platforms (television, internet, mobile).